Saturday, June 20, 2009

Needlecase Tutorial

I have had several requests to purchase the needlecases that have appeared in earlier posts. Since I’m now retired and have the time to play and create at will, I’ve decided that I would rather continue to enjoy myself and leave the designing and selling to the ‘younger’ folks out there.

Having said that, I’ve been asked if I would consider doing a tutorial on my needlecase instead. Since I love to share, here it is. Make as many as you’d like, sell a million of them, show them on your blogs and make lots of money if that’s your ambition. All I ask is that you don’t make my designs into patterns to sell as your own creations…even if you adjust and or alter the measurements. Thanks for your understanding.

Note: I chose fabric with a detailed design for this tutorial in order not to make it too long. With my other needlecases, I’ve either stitched or appliquéd a design on the front. I leave the choice up to you.

So let’s get started! Here’s the needlecase we’re going to make. This is what it looks like when it’s closed…

2. Lay them on top of one another, starting with the largest at the bottom.

3. Align them flush to the left then pin them together to stabilize and set aside. These will become the inside pockets.

4. Sew together the binding strips to make one continuous length.

5. Press binding in half, wrong sides together.

6. Take the three pinned pockets from step 3 and start sewing the binding to the upper edge, stopping 1/4” from the end. Backstitch a couple to stitches to secure, then clip the threads.7. To make a mitered corner, flip the binding up to make a 45 degree angle and pin if necessary to hold in place.

8. Flip the binding back down over the 45 degree angle and sew through all the layers, stopping at the bottom edge.

9. Cut off the remaining binding flush with the bottom edge.10. Turn the binding to the wrong side and stitch to the back of the pockets. I prefer to do this by hand in order for the stitching not to show on the right side.

11. Take your 6” x 10” piece of lining fabric and the pockets

and pin to pockets to the lower left edge as shown.

12. Hand stitch the pockets to the lining on the right edge only as indicated by where the pencil is pointing. Do not stitch down the top edge as that is the opening for the top pocket. Set aside.

13. Gather together the precut wool pieces and the two small precut pieces of batting.

Layer the two 3” x 5” pieces of wool together and blanket stitch around the entire perimeter with either Perle cotton or 2 strands of floss in a coordinating color. Take the two smaller pieces of wool and layer the two smaller pieces of batting in between and blanket stitch around the entire perimeter as above. The larger piece will be the needle holder and the smaller, the pincushion. Set aside.

14. Machine tack the three pieces of ribbon to the right side of the lining, one piece centered on either side about 1/8” in from the outer edge and the third piece about 1/2” centered above the bound pocket edge.

15. Take the 6” x 10” outer piece of fabric and place it right side down on the table. Next, place the 6” x 10” piece of batting on top. Finally, place the lining fabric with the pockets and ribbons right side up on top of the other two layers.

16. Turn the sandwiched layers over and place a few pins in the center to stabilize. Starting at the bottom edge and about 1” in from the end, sew the remaining binding to the front side, all the way around the perimeter. Turn the mitered corners as in steps 7 and 8 above. Note: Read step 17 below before doing this. The raw edges of the two centered pieces of ribbon on either side will be buried beneath the binding.

17. When you are about 2” from meeting up with the leading edge of the binding (where you started), cut the binding making sure to allow at least 1” extra to overlap. At the edge that was just cut, make a finger-pressed, 1/2” fold towards the wrong side of the fabric. At this point, both the leading and finishing edges of the binding should be overlapping. Tuck the piece of the binding where you started inside the piece that was just cut and folded and carefully sew through all layers to finish attaching the binding.

18. Turn the attached binding to the inside and hand stitch around the perimeter as in step 10 above.

19. Attach the Velcro to the bottom of the pincushion then fasten it in the bottom left corner.

20. Fold the larger piece of wool in half and tack it to the upper right side above the pincushion, being careful to sew through the top layer only.

21. Then fill it with your favorite sewing goodies. I tuck my scissors into the top pocket then tie them with the ribbon above the pockets to prevent them from falling out and getting lost.

Hi Kaaren, You know I will be putting your wonderful tutorial to excellent use. I really WILL make this. I have been collecting things to start. Thank you so much, Kaaren. You are a very special person to share this with all of us.

Thank you so very much for the tutorial Kaaren...love it and will make it for sure..I have saved it for now...oh that music on your blog...know the lyrics "by heart"It was relaxing inbetween the rock and roll way back when I was "young"and it still is now..love itgreetings Francien.

Now that I see all the steps in the needlecase, I am even more in love with mine - if that was even possible! How nice that the other talented sewers and quilters will be able to fashion their own now.

I am so far behind catching up on sleep and emails and messages. I don't know what end is up! LOL Trying to fit a few in before we go see our bbay girl in a bit. Can't wait to hold her again!!

Having done several tutorials myself I know what a huge undertaking it is to get the photos and commentary all straight and together. Thank you for contributing to our wonderful sharing blog world. I think it is good to have a mixture of give and take. This is certainly giving.

I absolutely LOVE your needlecases!! I can't wait to try this one!! I would love to put a link to your post on my blog if that is alright. www.mystitchintime.blogspot.com I just think that this is great and would love to share it with others!

Hi KaarenJust discovered your needlecase tutorial which I am going to make. I am commenting though because I really like the pins you use with the heads like little buttons. I haven't seen these here in Australia. Could you please tell me where you got them so I can perhaps buy some on line? Thanks for your help. Gilliangillian.macdougall@gmail.com

I ♥ my friends

About Me

I am an artist and have recently retired from actively designing, publishing and travel teaching in the decorative painting industry. In December of 2010, we moved from Eastern Ontario to the beautiful Annapolis Valley of Nova Scotia. Quilting, stitching, wool applique and rug hooking are just a few of my passions.
During the last 5 years I have released over 40 new and FREE designs here on my blog. Just scroll down and you'll find the links to all of my FREE patterns available in PDF format under the title First Friday Freebies and More First Friday Freebies. Click on them one at a time to download and print the photos, instructions and line drawings. Enjoy!